The School Governors
What is a governing body?The Government requires that each school has a management team, a governing body. This team is made up of the various stakeholders that the school serves, parents, local authority, staff, community and dioceses. Governors are either elected or appointed, e.g. Parent Governors are elected from the parent body; the Local Authority (LA) appoints LA Governors, the governing body appoints Community Governors.
What does a governing body do?
The governing body works in partnership with the headteacher, staff, parents and the LA to raise standards of achievement in the school, led by the Chair of Governors. The main functions of the governing body are to:
- provide a Strategic view
- act as a Critical Friend
- ensure Accountability.
Our school governing body.
Alison ElsonPCC Governor. Chair of Governors, Responsibility for Child Protection and Looked after Children.
"I became a Governor in 2002 when my daughter was at the school. Being a teacher, parent and member of St Marys Church, I bring an understanding of the way in which there is a need for partnership working to ensure the best opportunities for all the children at Reigate Parish."
Steve Chowne
Parent Governor and elected Vice Chair
"I have been a Parent Governor at Parish since my first child Alex started in Reception back in 2001. Whilst both Alex and his brother Elliot have now "graduated" onto Sandcross, I still have a couple more years in my elected term, in which I will continue add my contribution as critical friend to the head and school, particularly in areas like Premises, Health and Safety, through the Resource committee. I am also the Vice Chair of the Governing body."
Mike Coveney
Parent Governor with specific responsibility as Link Governor for training and development needs of the governing body. I also have subject responsibility for ICT
"I first became a parent governor when my eldest two children Alex and Christopher were at the Parish. I now have Elizabeth at the school and relish the opportunity to work with the entire school community to help make it the best environment for our children to learn."
Susanne Rubie
PCC governor with specific responsibility for special education needs
"As a member of St Mary’s Church and a primary school teacher, with a particular interest in children with specific learning difficulties, I wanted to support the Parish Church School which was such a positive influence in my own children's education. I had been instrumental in starting The Parish School Playgroup 26 years ago."
Peter Bowen
PCC Governor
"I am a Diocesan foundation governor appointed by the Diocesan Board of Education. There are two Diocesan governor appointees. We have a "particular responsibility to secure that the character of the school as a Church of England school is preserved and developed in accordance with it's trust deed" I am on the Resources Committee and this is partly to use my work based skills of building surveying and health and safety, but also to be just another viewpoint in a broad and diverse group of governors so that decisions are viewed from all angles and fully considered. I have been a governor since November 2006."
Rev Phil Andrew
ex officio governor
"I have been a governor since moving to Reigate in the summer of 2006 to take up the post of vicar of St Mary’s Church (Reigate Parish Church). I see the church’s involvement in all aspects of the local community as central to our mission & purpose and am delighted to able to build upon the excellent relationship between the Parish School and St Mary’s. I love being involved in various aspects of school life including church services, assemblies and more generally as part of the governing body."
Penny Crocker
Deputy Head Teacher
"I joined Regiate Parish Church School as the Deputy Head Teacher in Sept 2003 and then became a member of the Governing Body in Oct that year. Since then, I have taught in Years 1 and 2 and been coordinator for Science, Music and Worship, ICT and SENCO. Within my Governors role, I am a member of the Curriculum and Pupil Welfare Committee which helps to ensure standards throughout the school are high and that all children are cared for, whatever their circumstances. Our close links with the church provide a wider community with which to offer the support and encouragement needed. Music and Worship are my huge passion and I thoroughly enjoy taking the Year 2's to the Reigate and Redhill Music festival."
Liz Wombwell
Head Teacher
"I became head teacher at Reigate Parish Church School in April 2001. Having been the head of a small village school in Surrey I was not new to headship, but working with a larger team and more children was more of a challenge.
I feel privileged to be working in this Church school with a dedicated team of staff educating a huge range of bright and lively children in an amazing learning environment, supported by interested and engaged parents.
I work with the Governing Body to ensure that the children learn in a safe and well resourced environment, where the teaching and learning is of a high standard. I report to the Governors about the day to day running of the school, which is my responsibility and consult them about new initiatives or statutory policies."
Lorraine Danbury
Support Staff Governor with specific responsibility for literacy.
"I was appointed support staff governor in September 2006. I have undertaken numerous courses to enable me to understand the role and responsibility of literacy governor and help fulfill my duties. I wanted to gain insight and be appreciative of the demands placed upon a popular infant school and support this important aspect of the curriculum. My daughter Courtney has joined the school and I look forward to participating at RPCS as a parent."
Penny Lambert
PCC Governor
"I felt privileged to be asked to join the team as a Foundation governor. I think the ethos of the school and its connection to the church is extremely important. I was a peripatetic teacher of speech and drama in various schools over a long period, as well as running a large after-school ballet school for 30 years, so considered I had useful experience with young people."
Jeremy Good
PCC Governor. Chair of Resources Committee
"I was appointed a Diocesan Foundation Governor in October 2006. As a member of St Mary’s Church since 1995 and with two of my children having been through the school and my youngest daughter in Year 1, I was pleased to be asked to take on this role to help contribute to the school's success and maintain its strong Christian ethos. I initially served on the Curriculum & Pupil Welfare Committee with special responsibility for Maths. I have now been asked to put my commercial and professional skills to use as Chair of the Resources Committee who are responsible for maintaining the fabric and finances of the school. I am also involved with the PTA, jointly leading the team responsible for the fireworks display at the annual fireworks night fundraising event."
Su Rogers
PCC Governor
"I was appointed as a PCC governor in September 2008. Having been a Parish School parent for the past five years (three children) and being a member of St Mary's Church, I am hoping to be able to give something back to the school. I am expecting to serve on the Resource committee, where I hope to be able to use my finance background."
Tom Lumsden
PCC Governor
"I currently have two children at the school and was delighted to be appointed PCC Governor in September 2008. I will serve on the Resources Committee, as well as being Treasurer to the Governors' Fund. I am looking forward to contributing to this truly great school."
Maureen Prestige
Clerk to the governors